Page:Life of Africaner.pdf/13

 Africaner was taught to read the sacred Scriptures, in which he took much pleasure.

The missionary, Mr Ebner, who first went to Africaner's kraal, after continuing there upwards of two years, returned to his former station, and was succeeded by Mr Moffat, who was instrumental in building up the new converts in their faith, and adding to their number, and maintaining peace amongst them. Indeed, from the day the gospel entered the kraal, they ceased to disturb the peace of the neighbouring tribes; for, so far as the truths of that precious gospel are influential on the minds of men, they produce peace on earth, and love towards each other. The first effect of the gospel at the city of Lattakoo, towards the eastern side of Africa, was to dispose the king and chiefs of that nation to come to a public resolution, to go no more upon plundering expeditions against other tribes. Many of the converted heathens also in South Africa have contributed very liberally of their little property to assist in sending the gospel to other regions where it has not penetrated.

In the latter end of the year 1818, Mr Moffat contemplated visiting Cape Town, and the idea darted into his mind, that Africaner would do well to accompany him, and accordingly he made the proposal to him. "The good man," says Mr Moffat, "looked at me again and again, gravely asking whether I were in earnest, and seemed fain to ask if I were in my senses too; adding, with great fervour, 'I had thought you loved me, and do you advise me to go to the government, to be hung up as a spectacle of public justice?' and putting his hand to his head, he asked, 'Do you not know